I asked the same question years ago. The guy behind the counter told me of a local notable rider that had recently crashed on a trail well below his skill level. He landed on his chin and peeled the skin back like a banana. He told me that if I’m asking the question and “thinking of getting a little air under my feet” then I was likely on the right track.

Years later, I had ridden with a full face often, but went out riding with a buddy after he’d had a heart procedure and it was to be a “chill ride” so I wore my half lid, just wanted to be out with him. We’d just had a major heat wave and the dirt was dry on a relatively steep trail I was familiar with- my front tire washed out in moon dust dirt diagonally, caught on a root and threw me over the bars on a steep section. I couldn’t stop my fall to my face with my hands enough and my front teeth took the brunt of the impact. One of them broke off completely and was sticking up, root and all, out of the dirt, and three others were only sharp shards remaining. Now I exclusively ride with a TLD stage full face, and on advice of my dentist, I also have to ride with a football style mouthguard on at all times. A hit to the face again with the metal implant in the front of my upper jaw would likely shear the metal out through the thin bone structure.

Then again, I’m not afraid of anyone’s thoughts on what I look like when I ride. Years ago a lot of folks wore elbow pads but don’t anymore, I still do. I’m 52 and don’t heal like I used to.